UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.
Organizational Context and Purpose for the job
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Purpose for the job
The Programme Specialist (Climate Change & Resilience) reports to the Chief CSD (Level 4) for guidance and general supervision. The Programme Specialist supports the development and preparation of the climate change adaptation interventions and is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of these interventions within the CSD programme component. The Programme Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes to facilitate the administration and achievement of concrete and sustainable results according to plans, allocation, results based-management approaches and methodology (RBM), organizational Strategic Plans and goals, standards of performance, and accountability framework.
Key functions / accountabilities and related duties / tasks
Summary of key functions / accountabilities
Programme development, planning, coordination, integration, and technical and operational support to sections
Coordinate UNICEF engagement in existing climate change adaptation and environment specific interventions and assist in the integration of these dimensions in the new UNICEF Country Programme (2024-2028)
Provide strategic and technical guidance, advice and inputs to the Child Survival and Development team on all aspects of climate (mitigation, adaptation, resilience) and engage in cross-sectoral initiatives with other programmes in this regard.
Help refine UNICEF’s niche for addressing climate change and environmental degradation impact on children, awareness raising and design of programmes supporting the rights of children and strengthened risk informed programming in Senegal.
Serve as the focal point between the Senegal Country Office, partner organizations, government and UNICEF regional office & HQ for developing climate finance proposals related to systems strengthening (i.e. Fonds Vert Climate).
Assist in advancing synergistic cross-sectoral programming, in WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social protection and Education sectors, to ensure that climate programming has a greater impact for children.
Keep abreast of climate and environment development trends, for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in programme design, management and implementation.
Advocacy, evidence generation, policy and positioning of UNICEF in climate change and children
Establish UNICEF’s engagement in national working groups on climate change and health, as well as environmental health.
Participate in strategic discussions to influence national policies and strategies on environment and climate change adaptation with a view to contribute to key results for children.
Support communication and policy advocacy regarding climate change, environmental degradation and child rights in Senegal, and inputs into key national climate and environment policy dialogues (national action plans, policies and climate strategies).
Support the collection and development of data on UNICEF thematic areas and sectors in support of climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and building climate resilience, including but not restricted to the upcoming Climate Landscape Analysis for Children.
External partnerships, resource mobilization and linkages to regional and global efforts
Identify partners and entry points for strategic engagement regarding climate change impact on children as well as strategic entry points for engagement with the government
Prepare donor proposals, ensuring alignment with UNICEF’s Strategic Plan, UNICEF’s global strategy on WASH, Healthy Environment for Healthy Children programme framework, the country programme, as well as government nplans and priorities.
Assist in developing strategic partnerships with financing and development partners and the private sector.
Support fundraising on climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in line with UNICEFs key thematic areas, such as WASH, health and education sectors.
Participate in inter-agency and development partner discussions, interact with national, global and regional initiatives and partnerships for climate adaptation and ensuring that child rights and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the planning and agenda setting.
Programme management, monitoring and delivery of results
Actively monitor UNICEF-supported activities through field visits, surveys and exchange of information with partners, to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, challenges and assist in taking timely decisions to resolve issues and/or refer to relevant officials for timely interventions.
Prepare sectoral progress reports for management, donors and partners.
Impact of Results
The efficiency and efficacy of support provided by the Programme Specialist (Climate Change & Resilience) to programme preparation, planning and implementation facilitates the delivery of concrete and sustainable results that directly impact the improvement of the programme activities in lien with climate change and to the health of the most marginalized and vulnerable women and children in the country. This in turn contributes to maintaining and enhancing the credibility and ability of UNICEF to continue to provide programme services to protect the rights of children, and to promote greater social equality to enable them to survive, develop and reach their full potential in society.
Recruitment qualifications
Education
An advanced university degree in environmental sciences, climatology, geology or earth sciences, climate change, disaster risk reduction, water resource management, engineering, social and economic development, community development, international cooperation or another relevant technical field is required.
Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement / supplement the main degree are desirable.
A bachelor’s degree in combination with 2 additional relevant years can also be considered.
Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience at the national and/or international levels in programme/project development, focused on developing countries in areas related to development cooperation in climate change adaptation and mitigation, environment and socio-economic development.
Familiar with children’s rights and gender in the context of climate change and environment. Knowledge of gender equality principles and gender sensitive programming.
Previous experience within UNICEF is an asset.
Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious & effective working relationship both within and outside an organization.
